Machine for automatically producing and assembling signatures



Odi. 18, 1932 E D, RADE-R 1,882,895

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18. 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet l M6 23 Ik" oct. 18, 1932. 1 ,E D. RADER 1,882,895

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18. 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet -2 l 1 g3 nventor mm, 3l uttorucgg Oct. 18, 1932.

E. D. RADER MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. D. RADER Oct. 18, 1932.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 18, 1932. E. D. RADER 1,882,895

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUGING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 18, 1932. E. D. RADER 1,882,895

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALIY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 1QV Sheets-Sheet '7 Snoentor E. D. RADER Oct. 18, 1932.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIGALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 Oct. 18, 1932. E D, RADER 1,882,895

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed 0G13. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 77'120213. VL* P 213 L zu.w I 21. P221 min?" 216 nventor Gttomegs Oct. 18, 1932. E. D. RADER MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 9H 275 6 al 7| .Boo

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MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY. PRODUCING AND ASSEMBLING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 18, 1928 10 Sheets-Sheet 1G Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICEv 'EARL D. EADEE, OE BEDFORD, NEW YOEK, AssIGNoE 'ro DEXTER FOLDER COMPANY, 0E NEW YORK, N. Y., A. ooaronn'rio'N or NEW YORK MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCING AND lASSElVlIBll'LEN'G SIGNATURES Application filed October 18, 1928.

rhis invention relates to folding machines, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a machine for feeding book sheets, subjecting them to a plurality of parallel folds, separating each sheet into a vplurality of signatures and assembling said signatures into a book, phamphlet or the like.

A further Object of the invention is to provide in such a machine mechanism to assemble the signatures into book form either by flatgathering or inserting, and either to deliver the books with the signatures so flat-gathered or inserted, stitched or stapled, or otherwise as desired.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a machine of this character in which the signatures so flat-gathered or inserted may be vdelivered from the kmachine without stapling and delivered to a sewing operator as book signatures, to be thereafter stitched together in book form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described which is particularly adapted for use in the automatic and expeditious. production of calendar pads and the like, it being possible with a machine of the character described, in which four parallel folds are imparted to the signature sheet, to produce a complete calendar pad as the result of the operation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which operates at much higher speed, and has a much greater productive capacity, than booklet foldingmachines heretofore proposed.

Another object of the invention is to provide. a machine which produces packs of independent booklets arranged in sets for use by manufacturers of packaged goods.

JAnother object of the invention is to provide a machine which enables a set of booklets to be made from a single printed sheet and packed with booklets arranged in another set or sets likewise made from a single sheet or'sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which produces booklets in i acks', each containing a plurality of sets arranged conveniently for association, by hand` Serial No. 313,364.

or by machinery, with packages of materials or articles.

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a machine which consecutively arranges and packs booklets in sets each Vcomprising a plurality or series of informatively different booklets for association with packages of goods similar as respects the class thereof but different as respects ingredients of the same. i

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds.

In order to more clearly understand the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one' embodiment of the inventive idea and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views.

In said drawings- Y Fig. l is a side elevation, with vparts omitted, of a machine embodying the present invention; f

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with parts omitted, of the machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a vertical, longitudinal sectional View of sheet cutting mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an end view of said mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of parts of the sheet vcutting mechanism separated for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view, showing diagrammatically thevarious steps incident to formation of the packs of booklets;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of parts of a sheet forwarding mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3; i

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail perspective view of gathering and packing mechanisms and operating devices therefor;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged front elevation, part# ly in section, of the gathering mechanism and associated devices shown in Figs. 3 and 9;

' Fig.; 1l isv a detail perspective viewillus# trating diagrammatically the manner of gathering the booklets;

Fig.Y l2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of .booklet detecting mechanism which controls the operation of the gathering and packing mechanisms;

Figs. 13, 111 and 15 are enlarged side, end and perspective views of the booklet receiving and transporting elements of the gathering mechanism;

F 1g. 16 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the packing mechanism illustrated in Fig. 9; y

Fig. 17 is a vertical, transverse sectional view on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail perspective view of control devices for parts of the packing mechanism; Y

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a trough and holding fingers;

Fig. 2O is a detail perspective view to more clearly show the swinging frame;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the signatures assembled in inserted form rather than fiat-gathered, and being stitched; and

Fig. 22 is a detail showing a book of flatgathered signatures being stitched.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 7, the booklets 5 are, in accordance with the present invention, made from single printed sheets 6 fed successively to a point where they are front and side registered before folding thereof. After each sheet is registered as aforesaid, it is forwarded, preferably at accelerated speed, to a point where the sheet is folded and cut into a plurality or series of signatures. Any desired number of signatures may thus be formed from a single sheet. As herein shown, the sheet is folded and cut into twelve signatures, but by any desired arrangement of the number of cutters and the speed of the gathering conveyor, this may be altered to produce signatures two,three or more up of varying sizes.

As the signatures are cut and folded, they are, as herein shown, advanced successively in series of twelve each to a point where groups or sets 7 of the signatures are successively gathered from the successively advanced series. Gathering of each set is preferably effected by advancing thev rst series of signatures transversely of the machine to a point where it is gathered with the second series of signatures and soon until the sets contain twelve signatures each taken from a different series at a dierent point. The groups or sets thus gathered are successively transferred to a point where they may be packed in pluralities of sets, the packs 8 being successively formed and intermittently advanced to a point where they are finally delivered successively from the machine. The packs 8 may each consist of any desired number of sets 7 and, as herein shown, each pack contains eighteen sets of twelve signatures each, making a total of two hundred and sixteen signatures to the pack.

'While primarily the machine is adapted for the production and assembly of signatures in book or pamphlet form, in some cases the signatures of each series, or the successive series, may be duplicates as respects advertising matter or other information printed thereon. In other cases the signatures of each series, or the successive series, may be informatively different as when produced for association with packages of goods made up, prepared, and served in various ways. One class of such goods, for example, is a gelatinous food product that at present is made in several different flavors and sold to the trade in packages. In the case of booklets to be associated with packages of this product, it is desirable for purposes of advertising to produce sets of several booklets informatively different from each other and conveying various information relativev to the several classes of the product, the idea being to associate only one booklet with each package and stimulate ythe sale of the product by the consumers repeated purchases of packages of the goods in order to obtain a complete set of the booklets. In the case last mentioned, each sheet 6 will be printed, folded and cut into several booklets informatively different from each other. Ifl these booklets are then gathered as above described, each group or set 7 will contain several informatively different booklets. Packs of these booklets supplied to the manufacturer' can then be conveniently associated by hand or by machinery with packages of the gelatinous product so as to carry out the above nentioned scheme of advertising.

In any case, a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention may and preferably does embody sheet feeding, registering, folding, and cutting mechanisms, and signature advancing, gathering (or inseting), transferring, packing and detecting mechanisms, although certain of these vmay be omitted, or used singly, or in combination with others, according to the scope of the appended claims; and particularly the signatures so gathered or inset may be stapled or stitched together in the machine, or delivered in unstitched book form to a sewing operator. In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, all of the above referred to mechanisms are utilized. They will be described in the order named and are preferably constructed and operated as follows.

SHEET FEEDING MnoHANIsM Figs. Ito 3 achtet/ve The sheets are supplied from any suitable source to the sheet feeding mechanism, and said mechanism, together with the other mechanisms hereinafter described, are preferably supported by a suitable framework comprising side frames 9 and 10 spaced apart and boltedV or otherwise suitably secured at 11, 11, to the machine foundation 12 (Figs. l and 2). The side frames 9 and 10 are connected together by stay shafts 13, 14 and 15, the stay shaft 15 having pivotally mounted thereon a. motor support 16, the free end of which carries a rod 17 that extends entirely across the machine.

The ends of the rcd 17 extend through arcuate-shaped slots 18 formed in the side frames 9, 10, and said ends carry nuts 19 which bear acainst said frames and serve to hold the rod 1'! in any desired position of adjustment along the slots 18. The motor support 16 has secured thereto at 20, 2O an electric motor 21 supplied with current from any suitacl source through a conduit 22. This conduit 22 is flexibly connected, as at 23, with the nic-tor 21, in order to provide for adjustment of the mctor support 16 about its pivot 15 b-y means of the rod 17 and the nuts 19 carriedon the ends thereof. This adjustmentV of the motor support is effected for the purpose of increasing or decreasing, as desired, the tension of a driving belt hereinafter referred to. The motor 21 serves to drive allV of the various mechanisms of the machine, and said meter, and therefore said mechanisms, are preferably controlled by a switch 24 connected in the electrical current supply line and secured to the side frame 9 of the machine.

The shaft 25 of the motor 21 has fixed thereon a pulley 26 around which passes driving belt 27. This belt 27 also passes around a pulley 28 that is fixed on main driving shaft 29 extending transversely of the machine and j ournaled in suitable. bearings on the side frames 9, l() thereof. Fixed on the main driving Shaft 29 is a spur gear 30 freni which the sheet feeding mechanism is driven. This gear 30 meshes with a spur gear 31 which in turn meshes with a spur gear 32. The spur gear 32 meshes with a spur gear 33, which in turn meshes with spur gear 34. The spur .rs 3l, 32, 33 are fixed on stub shafts 35, 36, 37 respectively which are journaled in suitable bearings cn the side frane 1() 2). The spur gear 34 is fixed on one end cf a shaftwhich extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings cn the side frames 9. 10 thereof. This shaft 38 is driven through the aferesaid spur gears and has fixed thereon a feed roller 39 that is preferahly made in secticns adjustable along, and rigidly secured to, the shaft 38. Y

Passing over and driven by the relier 39 re a series of sheet conveying tapes 40 that serve to carry the sheets successively to sheet registering mechanism hereinafter referred to. These tapes 40 extend forwardly around pulleys 41 mounted on shaft 41, downwardly around tension pulleys 42 (Fig. 3), upwardly around pulleys 43, mounted on shaft 43, rearwardly over pulleys 44, mounted on shaft 44, and then downwardly and upwardly around the pulleys 39 mounted on shaft 38. The pulleys '41, 43, 44 are fixed to and adjustable along shafts 41', 43 and 44, respectively. These shafts extendl transversely of the machine and are journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, lO thereof.v The pulleys 42 are ro- 'ta-tably fixed on pins 42 which are journaled in the free ends of arms 45 adjustably secured to a shaft 46 that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 thereof. Secured to the .arms 45 are weights 47 which tend to move the pulleys 42 downwardly and thereby take up t-he slack in the tapes 40.

The sheets are delivered in succession between the feed rollers 39 and drop rollers which are moved toward and away .from the feed roller tc engage the sheet with the tapes4 40 and permit the feeding of successive sheets thereto. Eachof these drop rollers 48 (Fig. 3) is carried on an arm 49 that is operated in a well-known manner to move the drop roller toward andV away from thefeed roller. Suitable top rods,.such as indicated at 50, may be employed lto prevent upward displacementl of the sheets from the tapes 40. As each` vsheet is delivered to the tapes 40, it is fed forwardly therebyl to be registered with respect to folding mechanism thereafter acting on the sheet.

SHEET Rncis'rnnrne MncHANisM Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and '7 down into the path of travel of the sheet to stop andfront register it with respect to the sheet folding mechanism. After the sheet is front registered, the lingers 5l are lifted, whereupon a. sheet forwarding mechanism hereinafter referred to feeds the sheet into said sheet folding mechanism. The fingers 51 are fixed on a rockshaft 52 that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 thereof. Fixed on the rockshaft 52 is a bell crank, one arm 5,3 (Fig. 2) of which is pivotally connected with a spring-pressed rod 54 (Fig. 1). The other arm.55 (Fig. l) of said bell crank is pivota-lly connected with one extremity of a cam operated link 56,

which, together with the springepressed rod 54, serves to rock the shaft 52 and thereby raise and lower the fingers 51 at proper intervals during the operation of the machine. The free end o-f the link 56 is provided with a fork 57 l (Fig.-2) that engages over a cam shaft 58 which extends transversely o-f the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9,10 thereof. This cam shaft is driven by a spur gear 58 (Fig. 3) Which is fixed on the stub shaft 35 and meshes with a` spur gear 58 that is fixed on said cam shaft. The fork 57 has journaled thereon a roller 59 (Fig. 2) which engages a cam with a fork 75 having f slide 61 by a Cam fore stated, acts'in conjunction with the spring pressed rod 54 to rock the bell crank 53, 55 and the stop lingers 51.

After the sheet is front registered and be- .,fore the lingers 51 are lifted, the sheet may be, and preferably is, side registered with respect to the sheet folding mechanism. The side registering mechanism may be of any suitable construction, but as herein shown is of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,404,376, granted to C. E. Christophel and F. J. Eiserman, January 24, 1922. This side registering mechanism includes a reciprocating slide 61 (Fig. 2) and a cam operated roller 62 between which the sheet is engaged and then drawn laterally against al side stop (not shown) to side register the sheet. The slide 61 travels in a groove formed in a base plate 63 which is carried by a bracket 64 mounted on a cross bar 65 for adjustment therealong.

This cross bar extends transversely of the machine and is secured in any suitable manner to the framework thereof. The roller 62 is carried by a cover plate 66 which isprovided with a slot 67 through which the roller extends to engage the sheet with the slide 61.

The cover plate 66 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 64 and, together with said roller, is rocked toward and away fromthe (not shown) that is operated through the medium of a lever 69 that also operates the slide 61. The lever 69 is journaled on the bracket 64 and oscillated .by a bevel gear 70 which is formed integrally with saidl lever. Movement is imparted to the bevel gear 7 0 by a bevel gear 71 which meshes therewith and is secured to arockshaft 72 for adjustment along the same. This rockshaft 72 is journaled in suitable bearings on the machine, and in turn is rocked by a spring-pressed arm 78 and a cam operated link 74. The arm 73 is fixed on one eX- tremity of the rod 72 and one end of the link 74 is pivotally connected with said arm. The opposite extremity of the link 74 is provided journaled thereon roller 76 that engages a cam 77 fixed on the cam shaft 58. This cam 77 acts at certain intervals to impart motion to the link 74 which, together with the spring pressed arm`73, rocks the shaft 72 and thereby operates the side registering mechanism as above described. Y

lvlnerrimstr 1 to 3 inclusive, 7 cmd 8 s front and side registered, .-'ers el lifted and the sheet is en. pref. bl,

cnanism. The mech- -g .le sheet preferably f l-ni rollers 78 adiustable along a shaft 79 anism foA includes a pa which extends transversely of the machine at accelerated speed,

andis journaled' in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 1G thereof. Fixedon the shaft 79 at one end thereof is a spur gear 8O (Fig. 2) that meshes with a segment 81 secured to an arm 82. rhis arm 82 is fixed on one eX- tremity of a reckshaft 88 that extends transversely of the machine andis likewise journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 thereof. Fixed on the rockshaft 83 is a bell crank the arms 84 and 85 of which are pivotally connected with a cam operated link 86 and a spring-pressed rod 87 respectively (Fig. 3). rllhe link 86 is provided with a fora 88 that extends over the cam shaft 58 and carries roller 89. This roller 89 engages a cam 90 that is fixed on the cam shaft 58. rlhis cam 90, together with the link 86 and the spring-pressed rod 87, acts to rockA the bell crank 84, so that the shaft 83 and the rack 81 are rocked in opposite directions and thereby7 rotate the rollers 78 in opposite directions. T cam is so shaped that when the rack 81 is rocked in a clockwise direction (F 3), the speed of said rack is accelerated and itacts to rotate the rollers 78 at accelerated speed in a counterclockwise direction.

T he rollers e after it is front and side vWhen these operations have been l.. formed, and the fingers 51 are lifted, the rollers 78 are. through the aforesaid driving means therefor, rotated in a connterclockwise direction and at accelerated speed, to carry the sheet forward to the sheet folding mechanism anddeliver the sheet thereto at substantially the speed of rotation of t ie foldlig rollers. preferably provided topositivel engage the sheet witi'the sheet forwarding rollers V,78. These drop rollers are jonrnaled on arms 92 which are fined in spaced relation on a rockshaft 98 that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the framework thereof.

Fixed on one end of the rockshaft 93 is an arm 94 that is rocked back and forth by a spring-pressed rod 95 and a cam operated link 96 both pivotally connected vith said arm 8). rlfhe link 96 is provided with a fork 97 that engages over the cam shaft 58 and carries a roller 98. This roller 98 engages a cam 99 that is fined on the cam shaft 58 and serves to operate the link 96. Vlhe cam 99 is shaped so that when the fingers 51 are raised and the rollers 78 begin to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, the rollers 91 will be lowered onto the sheet and press it into engagement with the rollers 78'so that the latter feed the sheet rapidly to the sheet folding mechanism. When the sheet has passed into engagement with the folding rollers, rollers 91 are lifted.. After the sneet has passed into the folding rollers, the lingers Drop rollers 91 (Fig. 2) are iso `51 are Vdropped =to provide for registration lof the next sheet.

When each roller 91 is lifted, rotation-of the same is stopped by-one arm 100 of a bell crank that drops bygravity intoengagement with said rollers (Fig. 8) or -a spring -91 may be Vused to Yassist the lbralning action. This bell crank is pivoted at 101 on 'the arm 92 and the other Varm 102 of said bell crank Vis weight-ed and 'carries a roller 103. l/Vhen the arm 92 loweredl so that the roller 9i engages the `rollers 7 8, the roller 103 engages a fixed stop `104, thereby rocking the bell crank 100, 102 in a counterclockwise .direction about `its pivot 101 and moving the arm 100 out of engagement with the'roller91.

SHEET F oLDiNG MEGHANISM Figs. 1, 3 md 7 rl-he sheet folding mechanism is of the `loop or buckle type and its movable parts are driv en at high speed by a. train of gearing connected with the spur gear 30 that is fixed on Vthe main driving shaft 29 (Figs. 2 and 3 rlhis spur gear meshes with a similar gear 105 (Fig. 3) that is fixed on a stub shaft 106 journaled in a suitable bearing on the side 'frame 10 of the machine. Fixed on the stub shaft 106 is a bevel gear 107 which meshes vwitha bevel `gear 108 that is fixed on one end of a shaft 109 journaled in suitable bearings on the side frame 10 of the machine. Fixed on the opposite end of the shaft 109 is a bevel gear 110 that meshes with a bevel gear 111 which is fixed on a shaft 112 that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 thereof. The shaft 112 has fixed thereon a knurled feed roller 113 and a spur gear 114:. The spur gear 114 meshes with a spur gear 115 (Fig. 2) that is xed on a shaft 116 which `extends parallel with the shaft 112 and Carries a knurled feed Aroller 117.

This shaft 116 is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 of the machine, and the spur gear 115 carried by said shaft meshes with the spur gear 118 that is fixed on a shaft 119 which extends parallel with the shaft 116. The shaft 119 is journaled in suit able bearings on the side frames 9, 10 and carries a knurled roller 120 which is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to said shaft.

The spur gear 118 meshes with a spur gear 121 that is fixed on a shaft 122 which extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 thereof. This shaft 122 has fixed thereon a knurled roller 123 which, together with the rollers 113, 117 and 120, serves to feed and fold the sheets delivered thereto by the sheet forwarding mechanism. l

lllhen the fingers 51 are raised, the sheet forwarding mechanism advances the registered sheet into the bite of the feed rollers 113 and 117, which then feed the sheet downwardly between a pair of spaced plates 12e until the .leading edge of said sheetistrikes Aa stop 125 adjustably mounted on said plates ybetween the-same and extending transverse- -ly thereof. These plates are .inclined forwardly and downwardly, and said plates constitute a grid secured to and supported at each side by brackets 126 ig. 1') mounted on the side frames 9, 10 of the machine.

l/Vhen the leading edge of the sheet strikes the stop 125, said sheet is buckled and fold-ed along the line 12'? (Fig. 7) 'by the rollers "117,

prisedvby said platesis secured to and supported lat each side by brackets 130 (Fig. 1) mounted on the side frames 9, 10 of the machine. When the folded yedge 127 of the Vsheet 6 strikes the stop 129, said sheet is 'buckled and again folded along the line 131 (Fig. 7) by the rollers 120, 123 which Vthen act to feed the twice folded sheet out ofthe loop folding mechanism just described. If desired additional folding grids and rollers could be employed to make additional folds in the sheet.

SHEET CUTTING MEGHANISM Figs. 1 to '7 inclusive Preferably the rollers 120, 123 which impart the final fold to the sheet 6, also serve yto cut 'the finally folded sheet into al series of booklets 5. The rollers 123 are accordingvly made in knurled sections 131 (Fig. 1) adjustably secured in spaced relation on thc shaft 122 by machine screws 132, and -each of-said sections has secured to one end thereof, as by machine screws 133, a rotary cutter 131. The roller 120 is also made in knurled sections 135 that are adjustably secured on the shaft 119 by machine screws 136. Between the knurled sections 135 are placed rubber washers 137 frictionally rsecured to shaft 119. The roll sections 135 and the washers 137 are placed in alternate relation on the shaft 119 so that said washers are vclamped between said sections and rotate therewith with the cutters 134. The washers facilitate the feeding of the signatures to 'the cutters whenparaiiined stock is used.

The folded sheet 6, as herein shown, is cut into twelve booklets as clearly shown in Fig. 7. Accordingly, thirteenV roll sections 131 are fixed' on the shaft 122 and each of said sections carries a cutter 1341 spaced from the adjacent cutter or cutters a distance corresponding with the width of the booklet to be cut; The two end cutters 134,y as clearly shown in Fig. 7, serve to trim the side edges of the folded sheet as it is being cut into booklets, and the trimmed edges of the sheet are blown or deflected away from the maioo iso

chine lby blasts of air supplied from any suitable source through a pair of nozzles 137, 137 located one at each side of the machine and suitably supported on the framework thereof. A

BooxLE'r ADVANCING MiscHANisM Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, 7, 9, and l0 tached to and drives vroller 113.V The bevel gear 111 meshes with a similar gear 138 which is fixed on one end of a shaft 139 that is journaled in suitable bearings on the side frame 1() of the machine. Fixed on the opposite end of the shaft 139 is a bevel gear 140 which meshes with a bevel gear 141 (Fig. 3) that is fixed on a stay shaft 142. The stay shaft 142 extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the framework thereof. Compounded with gear 141 is a sprocket 143 around which passes a chain 144. This chain also passes around a sprocket 145 that is fixed on a shaft 146 which extends towards the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the swinging brackets 142 (Fig. 20).

The shaft 146, through an intermediate train of gears, serves to drive spaced pairs of knurled booklet advancing rollers 147, 147, 14s, 148', 149, 149', the roller 147 being mounted on a shaft 146 parallel with the shaft 146 and journaled therebelow in suitable bearings on the swinging brackets 142. The rollers 148, 148 and 149, 149 are mounted on shafts 150, 150 and 151, 151 respectively, extending in superposed parallel relation transversely of the machine and j ournaled in suitable bearings on the swinging brackets 142. The described mounting of the rollers 147, 147 148, 148, 149, 149, enables them to be swung upwardly with the brackets 142 to inoperative positions when it is desired to have access to the sheet folding mechanism and the iereinafter described signature gathering mechanism. Fixed on the shaft 146 is a spur gear 152 that meshes with a. spur gear 152 which is fixed on the sl'hgft 146 and thus serves to drive the roller The spur gear 152 meshes with idler gears 153 and 154 which are loosely mounted on stub shafts 153 and 154 extending parallel with each other and carried by the swinging brackets 142. rIhe idler gear 153 meshes with a gear 155 which is xed on the shaft 150', and thus serves to drive the roller 148. The gear 155 meshes with a gear 155 fixed on the shaft 150, and thus serves to drive the roller 148. The idler gear 154 meshes with a gear 156 fixed on the shaft 151', and thus serves to drive the roller 149. The gear 156 meshes with a gear 156 fixed on the shaft 151, and thus serves to drive the roller 149.

As each series Iof signatures is finally folded and cut by the rollers 120, 123, said series passes through the spaced pairs of advancing rollers over plates 157 which extend transversely of the machine between said rollers and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the swinging bracketsl 142. As each series is advanced past the rollers 149, 149', said series strikes a sheet deflector 158 arranged transversely of the machine and adjacent the'periphery of the roller 149. The sheet deilector 158 deflects the series of signatures downwardly to gathering or insetting mechanism hereinafter described, and said deflector is carried by brackets 159 adjustably secured to the shaft 142, as by set screws 160. f

The gear 156 meshes with a gear 161 that is fixed on a shaft 162 extending transversely of the machine and journaled in suitable bearings on the swinging brackets 142. On shaft 162 are supported sections of knurled rollers 222 that engage the series of signatures and insure the downward feeding of the signatures thereof. A series of vertically varranged belts or tapes 163 that pass over and are driven by rollers 163, fixed on the shaft 162, also pass over pulleys 164 that are journaled on shafts 164. The shafts 164 are supported on the ends of spring-pressed arms 165 pivotally mounted on the lower ends of rods 166, provided at their upper ends with brackets 167 that are adjustably secured on the shaft 142, as by machine screws 168.

As each series of signatures strikes the deflector 158, said series is deflected into thc bite of the roller 149 and the tapes 163, and said roller and said tapes act to feed the series downwardly between the tapes and a series of vertically extending fingers 169 arranged in spaced relation transversely of the machine and secured to or formed integrally with a transversely extending horizontal plate 170 on which the signatures are delivered and supported vertically. This plate 17 0 extends parallel with the gathering mechanism and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frames 9, 10 of the machine.

SIGNATURE GATHERING MECHANISM Figs. l, 3, 7 and 9 to 15 inclusive The signatures 5 delivered vertically onto the plate 17 0 are pushed rearwardly therefrom by a series of spaced, vertical pusher plates 171 (Figs. 9 and 10) onto the flights 172 of an intermittently driven endless con` fingers 169. The conveyor 17 3 is arranged`" transversely of the machine and to the rear of the plate 170, and said conveyor and said pusher plates are operated in timed relation vsuch that when the plates move rearwardly the conveyor is at rest and when the plates move forwardly the conveyor is advanced one step across the machine a distance substantially equal to the Width of one of the booklets 5. I

Each time the plates 171 move forwardly and the conveyor is advanced a step further, a series of signatures 5 is delivered onto the plate 170, and when the plates 171 then more rearwardly each of the signatures of the series is pushed by one of said plates onto one of the conveyor flights 172. The pusherplates 171 then move forwardly and the conveyor is advanced another step, whereupon said plates move rearwardly and each push a signature of the next series onto one of the flights 172 carrying a signature pushed thereon from the preceding series at the preceding position of said flight. These operations are repeated so that as cach conveyor flight 172 reaches a position adjacent transferring mechanism hereinafter described, said flight carries a set of signatures 7 each taken from a different series at a different point and, if desired, informatively different from each other as above pointed out.

The pusher plates 171 are operated in timed relation with the conveyor 173 by a cam 174 and connect-ions between said cam and said pusher plates. This cam 174 (Figs. 2 and 9) is fixed on the cam shaft 58 and engages a roller 175 journaled on one arm 176 of a bell crank that is pivoted at 177 to a fixed part of the machine. rlhe other arm 178 of said bell crank is adjustably connected at 179 with one extremity of a rod 180 the opposite end of w iich is pivotally connected with an arm 181 that is fired `on a rockshaft 182 extending transversely of the machinel and journaled in suitable bearings on the side frames 9, 10 thereof.

A spring 183 has its opposite ends connected with the arm 181 and a stationary part of the machine respectively, and said spring acts in conjunction with the cam 17 4 to rockV the bell crank 176, 178 and the shaft 182 through the described connections between said shaft and said bell crank.

Fixed on the rocksh'aft 182 are arms 184 to the upper ends of which are secured a bar 185 that extends transversely of the machine in substantially parallel relation with the rockshaft 182. This bar 185 has adjustably mounted thereon at intervals a series of rearwardly extending rods 186 each having secured thereon one of the pusher plates 171. It will thus appear, that, when the shaft 182 is rocked, the arms 184 will also be rocked, thus reciprocating the pushers 171 rearwardly and forwardly of the machine as above de- A scribed.

The conveyor 173 is operated in timed relation with the pusher plates 171 by a cam 187 and connections between said cam and said conveyor. rl`he cam 187 (Fig. 12) is fixed on the cam shaft 58 and engages a. roller 188 which is fournaled on a stra-n 189 en affedZr over the cam shaft 58 and formed on one end of a link 190. The opposite end of the link 190 is pivotally connected at 191 with a stud that is attached to the pawl carrier arm 194. m

on which is pivoted a pawl 195 and said pawl carrier is loosely mounted on a shaft 196 that extends transversely of the machine and is j ournaled in suitable bearings on the side ihis pawl carrier arm 194 has a stud 198i frames 9, 10 thereof. ln the normal opera tion of the machine, the link 190 and pawl carrier arm 194 are reciprocated together by the cam 187. On each rearward stroke of the link 190 and pawl carrier arm 194, which is carried by the spring 192, the pawl 195 engages tooth of a ratchet 197 that is fixed on the shaft 196engagement of said pa-wl around a sprocket 203 (Fig. 9) that is fixed on a shaft 204 journaled in suitable bearings on the side frame 10 of the machine. The ratchet 197 and the cam 187 are so constructed that when the pawl 195 engages a tooth of said ratchet to partially rotate the shaft 196 andv the bevel gear 199, the conveyor chain 1,78 will, through its connections with said bevel gear, be moved so that each flight on the upper reach of said chain moves a distance corresponding substantially to the width of one,

of the booklets 5.

In accordance with the present invention. the conveyor nights 172 are constructed to hold the signatures and at the same time provide for movement of the signatures onto @E the flights by the pushers 171 and the transferring mechanism respectively. The base 205 is provided with spaced rollers 207 which are secured by pins 208 to the links of the conveyor chain 17 3. Mounted on the side frames 9, 10 ofthe machine and extending transversely thereof are rails 209 and a guide 210 (Fig. 14). Said rails and said guide support the upper reach of the chain 178 to prevent sagging thereof and maintain the flights of said upper reach in proper position with respect to the booklet supporting plate 170. The base 205 of each conveyor flight 17 3 is provided with rivets 212 that extend iis upwardly through said base 205 and carry on their upper ends lea her plates 211.

Each coi-iveyor flight 172 has extending forwardly from the upper end thereof a shoulder 213. Mounted on the forward end of the shoulder 213 is a laterally extending pin 215 which carries a detent 216 past which each signature moves as it is pushed onto the plate 211 by one of the pusher plates 171. This detent be adjusted as desired within a cutaway portion O17 of the shoulder 213. As the signatures or booklets are pushed onto the conveyor fright by the pushers 171, the tops and bottoms of said signatures are engaged by the shoulder 213 and the leather plate 211 which coact to frictionally hold the signatures or booklets on the conveyor flight until a complete set of the signatures or booklets is pushed thereon. Also 216 vacts to prevent the booklets from falling back. When the first signature or booklet is delivered onto the conveyor flight, it may not be pushed entirely to the rear thereof. This booklet, however, as well as the succeeding booklets delivered onto the conveyor flight will be held by the pad 211 and the arm 213 sufficiently to prevent displacement of the books from the flight while at the same time permitting the booklets to move rearwardly thereon as they are successively pushed onto the flight.

SIGNATURE on BooKLnT TRaNsrnnnrNo MECHANISI.y

Figs. 1, Q, 7, .9 and 16 The flights 172 of the conveyor 173 successively move to and stop for a. predetermined interval at the rear end of a trough or packer box 218 which extends forwardly of the machine and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame 9 thereof. VEhe forword end of this trough is secured to rail 273 by a bracket 219, and this in turn is secured to a vertical support 219 (Fig. 16) that is bolted or otherwise suitably anchored at 220 to the machine foundation 12. As each ,flight reaches the rear end of the trough 218, it stops in front of a pusher 221 (Fig. 7)

The pusher 221 then moves forwardly and carries the set of booklets along the trough 218 to a point where they are positioned back of an element of a packing mechanism that travels along said trough. The pusher 221 then moves rearwardly and upwardly until it crosses the path of travel of the conveyor 173, then downwardly behind the set of booklets on the next conveyor flight which has advanced to and stopped in front of the pusher 221. This set of signatures or book lets is transferred as above, the pusher 221 operating in the manner stated to successively transfer sets of signatures or booklets from the conveyor ights 172 as the latter are successively moved to and stopped momentarily at the rear end of the trough 218.

The pusher 221 isreciprocated longitudinally ofthe machine by a cam 223 (Figs. 1 and 9) and connections between said cam and said pusher. The cam 223 is fixed on the cam shaft 58 between-a pair of spaced rollers 224, 225 (Fig. 1) that engage said cam and are journaled at the opposite ends of a. strap 226 through which the cam shaft 58 passes. The strap 226 is formed on one end of a link 227 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected at 228 with one arm of a bell crank 229 thatl is pivotally mounted at 230 on the side frame 9 of the machine. The other arm 231 of this bell crank is pivotally connected at 232 with one end of a link 233 the opposite end of which is pvotally connected at 234 with a bracket 235 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a slide 236 (Fig. 9).

The slide 236 is reciprocated by the described connections therefor with the cam 223, in a pair of spaced guides 237 and 238 (Fig. 1) which are mounted on and secured to the side frame 9 of the machine. The pusher 221 depends from and is secured at 239 to the forward end of the raising and lowering bar 241. This bar is pivotally secured to slide 236 by a. bracket 240 at its rear end and at the forward end a slide guide bracket 259. It will thus appear that when the slide 236 is reciprocated, the bar 241 will also be reciprocated, and the pusher 221 will travel forwardly and rearwardly and up and down as above described.

During forward and rearward movement of the pusher 221, it is raised and lowered, as by a cam 244 and connections between said cam and the pusher 221. This cam 244 (Fig. 9) is fixed on the cam shaft 58 and engagagesv a roller 245 that is journaled on an arm 246 rigidly secured to a stub shaft 247 jo-urnaled in suitable bearings on the side frame 9 of the machine. Fixed on the stub shaft 247 is a bell crank, one arm 248 of which is pivotally connected with a spring-pressed rod 248. The other arm 249 of said bell crank is pivotally connected with a link 250 that is also pivotally connected with one arm 251 of a bell crank that is pivoted at 252 on a bracket 253 or other stationary part of the machine. rlhe other arm 254 of the last named bell crank has journaled thereon in spaced relation a pair of rollers 255 which engage the bar 241 at opposite sides thereof and raise and lower said link as the bell crank 248, 249 is rocked by the cam-operated arm 246 and the spring-pressed rod 248.

The cam 244 is shaped so that when the slide 236 is moved forwardly and rearwardly, the pusher 221 will be raised and lowered respectively.

SIGNATURE on BOOKLET PACKING MEoHANIsM Y Figs. 5, 7, .9, 12,(md 16' to 18 inclusive The signature or booklet packing mecha nism is intermittently driven in timed relation with the intermittently driven conveyor 173, and for this purpose there is fixed on the shaft 196 a bevel gear 263 which meshes with a bevel gear 264 that is fixed on one end of a shaft 265. The shaft 265 extends longitudinally of the machine and is journa-led in suitable besrings on the side frame 9 thereof. Fixed on the opplosite end of the shaft 265' is a bevel gear 266 which meshes with a bevel gear 267 that is fixed on a shaft 268 extending transversely of the machine and journaled in suitable bearings on the side frame 9 thereof. Thel shaft 268 has fixed thereon a sprocket 269 around which passes a chain 270 that also passes around a sprocket 271 which is fixed on a shaft 272 ournaled on a frame 273 (Fig. 16) and extending transversely of the machine in parallel relation with the shaft- 268. One end of the frame 27 3 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame 9 of the machine and the opposite end of said frame is likewise secured to the support 219.

The chain 270 is disposed below the trough 218 and journaled on said chain at intervals along the same are shafts 274 each having cperably secured thereto a pair of packing fingers 275. The pairs of packing fingers 275 pass successively along the trough 218 through suitable openings 275 (Fig. 17) in the bottom of the trough. While plassing along said trough, the fingers 27 5 stand vertically and the booklets 5 are packed between 'them in packs each containing, in the embodiment illustrated, two hundred and sixteen booklets arranged consecutively in sets as above pointed out.

Each pair of fingers on reaching the sprocket 271 turn downwardly and rearwardly u therearound through the slots 275 of the trough 218, and the pack of booklets that has been engaged back of said pair of lingers is removed from the front of the trough by an attendant. As each pair of packing fingers 27 5 passes around the sprocket 271 said fingers are turned in a clockwise direction, as vi wed in Fig. 16 by a cam 276. The cam 276 is formed integrally with the bar 276 and extends rearwardly and horizontally to the side frame 9 on which it is bolted or othersame direction and holding them turned until they reach the sprocket 269. At this point the roller 278 passes off the cam 276 and the packing fingers 275 depend vertically from he chain 27 0 and are carried upwardly thereby around the sprocket 269.

As the packing fingers 27 5 turn around the sprocket 269, they are turned upwardly through the bottom of the trough 218 and stand vertically therein. This upward turning movement of the packing lingers is effected by a cam 279 (Fig. 18) and devices operated thereby that act on said fingers to turn them upwardly as stated. The cam 279 bears downwardly on a roller 280 which is journaled on an arm 281 that is rigidly secured to a rockshaft 282 extending transversely of the machine and journaled in suitable bearings on the side frame 9 and at the center of the machine.

pivotally connected with a spring-pressed rod 284 (Fig. 1) which, together with the cam operated arm 281 acts to rock said shaft. An-

other arm 285 is pivotally connected with one end of a rod 286, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with an arm 287 of a bell crank that is pivoted at 288 on the side frame 9 of the machine (Fig. 18). The other arm 289 of the last named bell crank carries on its outer end a striker plate 290 which, when the packer fingers 295 pass upwardly around the sprocket 269, strikes a roller 291, turns said lingers upwardly through the trough to a vertical position therein and forces roller 278 between a pairk of guides 296 hereinafter referred to.

The roller 291 is journaled on a crank arm` Y 292 that is fixed on the shaft 274 at an angle of approximately 180o with the crank arm 277. When the packing fingers are turned upwardly and vertically as aforesaid, the roller 278 engages a plate 293 (Fig. 16) which is pivoted at 294 on one side of the trough 218. The swinging movement of this plate is limited by a pair of pins 295, and when the roller 27 8 passes said plate, the latter insures against dropping of the roller 27 8 rearwardly out of the guides 296. As the roller 278 travels along the guides 296, said guides act to hold the packing fingers 275 vertically during their entire travel along the trough 218. When the packer lingers reach the sprocket 271, the roller 27 8 passes out of the guides 296 and said fingers travel around said sprocket, and are turned as before described. by the cam 276. The upper reach of the chain 27 0 and the packer fingers 27 5 carried thereby are prevented from sagging or raising by upper and lower guides 297, one of which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to brackets 297 (Fig. 16) the other secured to the trough 218. These guides 297 engage rollers 298 journaled on the shafts 27 4 and thus support the upper reach of the chain 270 and the packer fingers 27 5, while the latter are passing through the trough 218.

As each set of booklets is transferred into the trough 218, it passes a series of spring fingers 299 (Figs. 9, 16 and 19) which there- A, walls of the trough.

extends.

` tain distance along the trough 213.

after engage the set of booklets at the rear thereof and hold them up against a pair of the packing fingers 275 that have previously been turned upwardly and advanced a cerrChese spring lingers 299 extend into the trough through openings 300 formed in the side walls thereof, and said spring lingers are bolted or otherwise suitably secured at 301 to said side Villen the conveyor 173 is advanced to bring the next set of booklets to the transfer position, the conveyor 270 is likewise advanced a step whereupon the Alast named set of booklets is transferred back of the iirst'set and held against said first set by the'spring fingers 299. These operations are repeated until the desired number of booklets, here shown as eighteen sets, have been transferred back of one of the pairs of packing lingers 275, whereupon the next pair of packing fingers is turned upwardly and advancec as before described into engagement with the rear of the pack 8 of booklets. Another pack of booklets is then transferred back of the last named pair of packer fingers as before described, whereupon another pair f the packer fingers is turned upwardly and engaged with the back of the last pack of booklets. It will thus appear that the packs of booklets are packed between spaced pairs of the packer fingers succe-ssi rely and are successively advanced and delivered at the front of the trough 218 by said fingers.

BooKLET Dn'rEoTiNG Mno-ninrsivr Figs. 1, 3, mai 12 The detector mechanism acts to prevent operation of the gathering and packing conveyors in the event that a folded and cut sheet is obstructed in its travel or does not reach the plate 170 at the proper time. This detector mechanism is controlled by the folded and cut sheet and the detecting element thereof may be placed at any desired point in the path of said sheet. As herein shown, the detector element is supported adjacent the last set of booklet advancing rollers 149, 149. Vthese rollers are formed with grooves 302 that provide for movement therein of the curved end 303 of the detector 304 (Fig. 12). The detector 304 is fixed on one end of a rockshaft 305 that extends 'transversely of the machine and is ournaled in brackets 306 that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the swinging brackets 142. Rocking movement of the detector 304 and the rockshaft 305 is limited as desired by a pair of set screws 307 between which the upper end 303 of the detector 304 These set screws have threaded engagement in suitable openin formed in ears 309 that project laterally from the adjacent bracket 306 and are formed integrally therewith. Fixed on the op'aosite end of the rock-- shaft 305 adjacent the other bracket 306 is an arm 310 in which there is an adjusting screw 311 which forms contact with a spring-pressed rod 312. This rod 312 is pivotally connected at 313 with an arm 314 that is pivotally mounted at 315 on a stationary part of the inachine.

1 The arm 314 has formed thereon a lug 310 that is adapted to engage the flattened end 317 of a pin 318 that projects laterally from one part of the pawl carrier arm 194 and extends over the pivot-ed arm 314. Vhen a folded and cut sheet passes between the sheet advancing rollers 149, 149', one of the booklets 5 engages the curved end 303 of the detector 304 and swings it forwardly. The .shaft 305 is thus rocked, and imparts rockin@ movement to the arm 310 so that the rod 312 is moved downwardly against the tension of the spring 319 and thereby compresses it. When the rod 312 moves downwardly. it moves the arm 314 downwardly, thereby disengaging the lug 316 from the flattened end 317 of the pin 318. The pawl carrier arm 194 which has previously been held up bv engagement of the pin 313 with the arm 314. now rocks into position for engaging a tooth in the ratchet wheel 197 by the pawl 195 through pressure of spring 192. At this time the link 190 is moved rearwardly by the cam 15.7 and through engagement of said pawl with the ratchet 197, the latter and the shaft 196 are partially rotated to advance the gathering and packing mechanisms one step forward. These mechanisms are thus intermittently operated at predetermined intervals when the folded and cut sheets are delivered successively at proper intervals to the plate 170.

As soon as the folded and cut sheet passes between the rollers 149, 149 and out of engagement with the detector 304, the spring tor, whereupon the mechanism connected therewith is operated as before described so that the gathering and packing mechanismsI may be moved a step forward through engagement of the pawl 195 with a tooth of the ratchet 197.

MnoHANi'sM ron STITGHING INsnT on GA'ri-r- ERED SIGNATUREs Figs. .Q1 and 2Q lVhile there has been herein shown and described in detail a machine for producing groups of unstitched signatures for book or pamphlet purposes, and signatures each of which constitutes a booklet, the mecha- 

